Agitating apparatus



SePt- 29, 1936- I J.- SCHMELLER, sR

AGITATING APPARATUS Filed Aug. ll, 1936 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented sept. 29, 193e UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiCE AGITATING APPARATUS John Schmeller, Sr., Lakewood, Ohio Application August 11, 1936, Serial No. 95,391

5 Claims. (Cl. 68-15) This invention, as indicated, relates to an agitating apparatus. More particularly, is comprises an oscillating element so shaped as to contour and surface configuration as to exert a more effective washing action upon the material to be treated. The surface configuration on the device assists, during manufacture, a self-releasing casting operation which facilitates quantity production and provides without further treatment a finished operative surface of a self-cleansing character and with capacity for creating an effective localized series of eddy currents and controlled turbulence to bring about an improved cleansing operation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved agitating apparatus having greater effectiveness as a cleansing device than other apparatus fo-r this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitating element adapted for quantity production in an improved finish as supplied from the molds and with a superior effectiveness as a cleansing facility.

A further object of th-e invention is to provide an agitating element of special contour with gentle non-abrasive action upon the material treated, and with a recessed self-cleansing surface configuration which effects more rapid and thorough cleansing of the material than devices heretofore known. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a surface released by shrinkage from the molds.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain means and one mode of carrying out the invention, and one product resulting therefrom, such disclosed means, mode and product illustrating, however, but several of various applications of the principle of the invention.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, broken away in part, showing one form of an agitating element embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan viewypartly in section, taken along the line 2 2, shown in Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view sho-wing a modified form of agitating element embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the recessed surface of the agitating element; and

Figure 5 is a cross-section showing a portion of the recessed surface of the agitating element in relation to the material operated on.

As is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the agitating element comprises a tapered structure I, preferably of the general shape of a truncated cone, and preferably formed of cast aluminum or other suitable metal. The agitating element preferably is formed as a thin walled integral casting having a closed upper end 2 in the form of a flat plate. A central aperture 3 is provided through said plate, and a sleeve ll is provided in alignment with said aperture and projects downwardly centrally of said casting. The sleeve is formed with a thickened circumferential area 5 at the point where it joins the plate 2. A series of vertical slots or keyways 6 are cut in the walls of said central aperture 3 in the top plate and upper sleeve to receive the keys on the upper end of the oscillating standard (not sho-wn) of a washing machine. The lower thinwalled portion of the sleeve I is formed with a beveled area 8fon its inner lower edge to serve as a guide to effect the engagement of the parts. At the point where the thin-walled portion of the sleeve joins the thickened portion of the sleeve adjacent the lower end of the keyways, a circumferential shoulder 9 is provided for engagement 20 withv a companion shoulder on the oscillating element (not shown).

The flat plate 2 at the upper end of the agitating element is somewhat rectangular in form', but with the corners and intermediate portions formed upon curved lines, as seen in cross-section, Vthe base II of the agitating element is formed of a configuration similar to that of the top plate, but on a larger radius of curvature, and accordingly the walls of the agitating element present a plurality of upwardly-inclined rounded surfaces I2, I3, IA, I5 with intermediate gently rounded vertically extending depressed areas IG, I1, I8, and i9. The shape of the agitating element is so related to its speed of oscillation that moderate rubbing contact with the contents of the washing machine will be had rather than heavy scrubbing action of a character to cause injury tothefabric being cleansed.

The cleansing action of the agitating element is assisted by providing upon the surface thereof a plurality of shallow depressions preferably in the shape of fractional portions of a spherical surface 2 l. Said spherical depressions may Vary as to depth and extent with reference to companion depressio-ns upon said surface, but in each instance, have the intervening separating webs 22 having gently rounded form at the margins of their upper free edges, such edges lying substantially in the plane of the general contour of the agitating element. Thus, there are no sharp edges on said surface which would tend to cut or injure the fabric being treated and there are no narrow crevices or corners within which particles of dirt orl foreign material could be lodged. It will be noted that the surface thus provided is completely self-cleansing and that the cup-like depressions formed on the surface, as well as the rounded edges separating the same, are always kept free of the adherence of foreign particles.

The action of the water in the cup-like areas is illustrated in Figure of the drawing, which shows that the oscillating motion of the agitating element will cause the water to be thrown upwardly against the fabric when motion is in one direction, and to be thrown in the opposite direction when the oscillating stroke is reversed. If the surface were formed with sharp angles at the bottom of small depressions, such structure would rapidly accumulate foreign matter and be rendered unsanitary, as well as inoperative, to effect the cleansing functions required.

While the preferred type of agitating element is that illustrated in Figure l, the cup-like surfaces may be applied to various types of agitating elements and will improve the action of the same over what may be accomplished'with smooth surfaces or other types of Water-diverting surfaces. An agitating element 3I, of more conventional form, is shown in Figure 3, but the stem portion thereof, 32, is tapered along a sharper angle than is customary. Four blades or vanes 33 of shallow depth are provided, the curved lower portions 34 of the stem merging therewith on a short radius of curvature 35 and such intermediate surfaces terminating in a substantially flat peripheral area 3B. The upper edges of the vanes 33 may be roughened to correspond somewhat to the rubbing action of the rounded surfaces I2, I3, I4, and I5, of the device shown in Figures l and 2 but in view of the substantially vertical position of the radial vanes, the upper edges 31 are preferably left free of the cup-like depressions, and such edges, if desired, may be polished to insure a greater degree of freedom of movement of the fabric being cleaned as it moved over such vanes in the washing operation.

The size and spacing of the cup-like depressions may be varied in accordance With the service for which the particular apparatus is designed, and in some instances the depressions may be substantially of the actual size illustrated in Figure 5, although ordinarily depressions of smaller size would be utilized.

As has been stated, the agitating element is preferably made of cast aluminum or other suitable metal by casting the same in permanent molds wherein the inner surfaces of the casting cavity, which form the outer walls of the agitating element, are provided with a pebbled or ball surfaced area over portions of such cavity. It will be noted that aluminum and like metals have a high crystallization shrinkage and the interaction o-f the convexed areas on the mold and the concaved or cup-like depressions on the casting, as shrinkage takes place on opening the mold, effects the freeing of the casting from the mold by such self-releasing operation through shrinkage of the metal of the casting. Such method of manufacture permits quantity production of such devices with a finished surface over such areas, requiring no sand-blasting or machining operations of any character whatsoever.

The structure is effective in operation as a rapid and thorough cleansing medium and, at the same time, is free from abrading and severe scrubbing action, such as brings about deterioration of the bers of the fabric undergoing treatment. The agitating element is adapted for long and severe service without repair or replacement.

Other modes of applying the principle of. my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the means and the steps herein disclosed and the forms of the product resulting therefrom, provided those stated by any one of the following claims or their equivalents be employed or ernbodied therein.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An agitating element for washing machines having the general shape of an upright cone with wash agitating projecting portions thereon and having substantially all of its surface roughened to provide rubbing and washing action, said surface comprising a-plurality of depressions of substantially circular outline and rounded contour separated by rounded edge webs with their outer surfaces lying in the general surface contour of the agitating element, said` depressions being closely spaced so that the surface area of the webs is appreciably less than the area of the depressions.

2. An agitating elem-ent for washing machines having the general shape of, an upright cone with wash agitating projecting portions thereon and having substantially all of its surface roughened to provide rubbing and Washing action, said surfa-ce comprising a plurality of depressions of different sizes and of substantially circular outline and rounded contour separated by rounded edge webs with their outer surfaces lying in the general surface contour of the agitating element, said depressions being closely spaced so that the surface area of the Webs is appreciably less than the area of the depressions.

3. An agitating element for washing machines having the general shape of an upright cone with wash agitating projecting portions thereon and having substantially all of its surface roughened to provide rubbing and washing action, said surface comprising a plurality of depressions of substantially circular outline and part spherical contour separated by rounded edge webs with their outer surfaces lying in the general surface contour Vof the agitating element, said depressions being closely spaced so that the surface area of the webs is appreciably less than the area of the depressions.

4. An agitating element for washing machines having the general shape of an upright cone with wash agitating projecting portions thereon, said projections being upright smoothly rounded ridges, and having substantially all of its surface roughened to provide rubbing and washing action, said surface comprising a plurality of depressions of substantially circular outline and rounded contour separated by rounded edge webs with their outer surfaces lying in the general surface contour of the agitating element, said depressions being closely spaced so that the surface area of the webs is appreciably less than the area of the depressions.

5. An agitating element for washing machines having the general shape of an upright cone with wash agitating projecting portions, in the form of blades having smooth outer edges, and having substantially all of its surface roughened to provide rubbing and washing action, said surface comprising a plurality of depressions ofA substantially circular outline and rounded contour separated by rounded edge webs with their outer surfaces lying in the general surface contour of the agitating element, said depressions being closely spaced so that the surface area of the webs is appreciably less than the area of the depressions.

JOHN SCHMELLER, SR. 

